An Assessment of Depreciative Behaviors on the Green Circle Trail

Abstract

The Green Circle Trail is a 27-mile-long loop that surrounds the city of Stevens Point, Wisconsin, and is a hub of community activity. Depreciative behaviors can significantly impact experiences and resources, even in small quantities, meaning that even local trails can experience significant impacts. Reasons for engaging in depreciative behavior can vary from not being informed of rules to intentional violations. This issue is an ongoing challenge for outdoor recreation managers, but can be addressed through proper management. To help inform the issue, board members collaborated with forest recreation seminar students from UWSP to gather observations regarding safety and behaviors along the trail. Observations occurred on weekends, including Fridays, from early October through early November of 2023 along the riverfront section of the Green Circle Trail. Students recorded group size, number of children and dogs, and primary activity. Additionally, students documented safety violations such as helmet usage, reckless riding, speeds exceeding 12 miles an hour, and unannounced passing. For recreationists with dogs, observations included whether dogs were off-leash and if trail users picked up their pet’s waste. This study found that 80% of recreationists followed the rules of the Green Circle Trail, with the most common violation being not wearing a helmet. Though dogs were a central topic of conversation, dogs being off-leash and pet waste being left behind were only observed a handful of times. Using these findings, we can propose management recommendations to the Green Circle board and suggest future research to enhance trail conditions and experiences.